EWINT helping immigrants entrepreneurs in the United States….

Dear all, I have been out for a week resting. I took a week vacation to St. Louis MO with my family and it is about to end. But I have spend precious time with my family, slept many hours (that my body needed) and I’m now feeling fresh to go back to my normal and workaholic routine…

While I was gone I received and email that I was featured at the EWINT blog. They are so proud to share with their followers that we are going nationwide with Uno Alla Volta.

I have tremendous admiration and respect for the founder of EWINT Marga Fripp. She came to this country like many other immigrants with no English but a goal to succeed, help others and provide the best for her family.

Here is Marga who came to visit me and meet my little Tyler

With small funds Marga Fripp created Empowered Women International. EWINT has been recognized as one of the Best Small Non-Profits in the DC area (Catalog of Philanthropy). and recently Marga has been nominated to receive the Living Legends of Alexandria recognition.

I met Marga during the winter of 2006, at One Woman Story Shop. Her then headquarters and the space she created for artists. There she featured, helped and show work of artisans from around the world.

I remember she gave me so much information about where to sell my pieces, and started to talk to me about if I had a portfolio. Which I didn't. As of now I have three different portfolios. Over the years I learned how important is for an artists to carry its own portfolio.

Then Marga mentioned the Entrepreneur Training for Success Program which I did take and it helped me in many ways. I can still remember the play rolls time, those were based on how to present our work to different boutiques & galleries. A role that now has become so easy for me. But then I was scare of knocking on doors introducing my work. Building and having a professional looking portfolio gave me confidence to introduce myself to others, too.

The Entrepreneur Training for Success Program helps you in many different ways. If you are serious about your art work and want to take it to the next level. If you want to see there are other immigrants just like you trying to get into the business world and learning about marketing your art, selling your art, etc., etc. This program is for YOU!

This program helped me take off my career. And it is so amazing to know that I truly have a family of supporters. Even though we don’t get to see us as often as we want whenever we DO see us I feel like a daughter coming back to the EWINT town.

When I graduated from the Training for Success Program, I remember I was in tears. I wasn’t used to speaking in public and I had my husband there supporting me. Although I missed my whole family I wished they could have been there. Instead my new EWINT family supported me and applauded my work. And now speaking in public has become my favorite cup of tea. Specially if I can motivate others through my personal story and work.

That same year during the 2007 EWINT Christmas celebration I was called to received the 2007 Outstanding Artist Achievement Award. I was soooo surprised! I never thought that I could get an award in my new country and that my work could be recognized. All I did since I launched Evelyn Brooks Designs is work hard to bring more and more innovative designs inspired in my Peruvian Heritage with modern designs.

We have been blessed that the work of Evelyn Brooks Designs has been featured and recognized nationwide and internationally.

Still lots and lots to come 

Hasta la proxima…

Technorati Tags: ewint,empowered women international,marga fripp,training for success,entrepreneur training for success program,evelyn brooks,evelyn brooks designs

Going nationwide with Uno Alla Volta

During the Buyer’s Market of American Craft Winter wholesale show I did in Philadelphia,  I had the opportunity to meet with different buyers. Among them, I met the buyers of a company called Stony Creek Brands in North Branford, Connecticut. They stopped at my booth intrigued with my red & black seeds, the meaning behind them, and my craftsmanship. After looking over at my line they said they really liked it and they will place an order.

It was the 1st time I was asked to send my samples and then after reviewing them they would make a final decision about which pieces would make it to the catalog and the online store.

I did my research about who they were and learned about their company. I was thrilled to know that they are a very reputable company, very trusted, and have been serving many customers for quite sometime.

My experience working with the buyer’s since the beginning has been very professional. They have attended every concern, question, request in a timely manner. We communicate often until the final pieces were chosen and anytime. Most of the designs chosen by the buyers are exclusively available through Uno Alla Volta and you won’t find them anywhere else.

For more information visit www.unoallavolta.com, ….Order you catalog NOW

Counting the days for the Buyer’s Market of American Craft…

 

I must say you I have learned a lot since my 1st show during the BMAC Summer Show  of 2010. We worked hard and kept our fingers crossed that everything was going to be fine, and that we would get more wholesale orders so Evelyn Brooks Designs would be seen and purchased nationwide at the most prestigious museum shops, galleries and boutiques.

For those who don’t know what the Buyer’s Market of American Craft is, it is the premier show for American artists to showcase/sell their work. During the show which usually lasts 4 days, buyers from all over the United States and owners of the most prestigious museums, galleries of art and upscale boutiques meet and  place their wholesale orders.

The Buyer’s Market of American Craft (BMAC) has opened the door of many artists and has helped them bring their work to where you want your work to be at.

For example at my last show in Philadelphia, a lady came to me and said: Are you Evelyn Brooks? and I said: YES!? ohhhh it was Linda Marks the buyer from the National Museum of  Women’s in the Arts. We have spoke a lot on the phone but never had a chance to meet  in person and it is always good to see your client in person and built a personal relationship with them.

It is not easy for an artist to hit lots of galleries and museum shops during the 1st wholesale show (BE PATIENT) or perhaps you are the luckiest artist and your work hits the right clients and you make tons of sales on your 1st show…you never know…, I have heard it takes at least three shows to get more and more people interested in your work. Maybe I am wrong but my honest experience is that it hasn’t been bad but I still need to work hard especially because I have to explain that I work with natural seeds and mix them with silver and gold. Again I have learned a lot and that is what matter to me.

One of my biggest client now is Uno Alla Volta. Uno Alla Volta is an upscale boutique which sells through catalog and online. They represent artisans from all over the world. We will go nationwide beginning July 2011 with them. If I haven't’ been  last February at  the Philadelphia Show, I wouldn’t have met them and established a working relationship with them. I truly look forward to have them and new buyers that I can build a relationship with, for many years to come.

Getting ready for the show…YES it is exhausting! But I do this for living and I can’t wait to show my new collection to more buyers And it will also allow me and my work to be in more states in the United States. Thanks to the BMAC, Evelyn Brooks Designs can now be found in Philadelphia, North Carolina, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland.

Watch the  Preview of the 2011/2012 Jewelry collection on YouTube.

On Sunday July 10th, join me during the BMAC Collector’s day. It is the only day that the Buyer’s Market of American Craft will be open to public. BOOTH 2108

Don’t miss this opportunity! Stop by the Baltimore Convention Center.                     
Remember July 10th (1p-5p)                                                                        

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For buyers it is open from Monday July 11th-13th (11a-6p) – BOOTH 2108

Send me all your positive energy and good wishes to have a wonderful show!

Sincerely

Nos vemos  

Technorati Tags: Buyer's Market of American Craft,BMAC,Uno Alla Volta,Baltimore Convention Center,Evelyn Brooks Designs,Moschik Jewelry Collection,Artists jewelry

Working 24/7 has its rewards in many ways…

Do I work 24/7 ….YES; unless we go somewhere where I don’t bring my laptop. But there is always my blackberry, right? And when you have your own business that is the nature of it. Being an entrepreneur has its up’s and down as in anything in life BUT I love doing what I do; I love being innovative and bringing new jewelry design ideas as well as services to my clients.

Media coverage is soooo important and it becomes more helpful for your business if the media coverage of your product featured is free of charge. We have paid in the past for advertising in different magazines and honestly it did not really bring us much business. Perhaps we didn’t advertise with  the right magazine, too.
Although I noticed that when there is a story written about yourself or a magazine asks you to write an article, etc., etc.…it is more beneficial for your company and gives you the opportunity to let people to know you better.

It was Sunday night June 26th and I got an email from Mr. Carlos Vasallo (CCO of LatinVision Media Inc.) telling me that I was selected to be featured in their Financial website as one of the most active and prestigious entrepreneurs within the US Hispanic Business Community. I read it more than once and I was thinking WOW Evelyn Brooks one of the most active and prestigious entrepreneurs in the Hispanic Community. What a compliment, huh!?

            Carlos Vasallo from LatinVision Media INC – Photo credit LatinVision

All I do is work hard, all I do is be professional in everything I do and I am sure there are people watching every step you take. Otherwise I am pretty sure  I wouldn’t hear from Carlos Vasallo, right? and other media outlets that have featured Evelyn Brooks Designs

Just like me I am sure there are many entrepreneurs that represent well their community and that are professionals in their business. To all of those my respect and my sincere appreciation for all their hard work. Besides someone watching every step of your business. God is always watching for us too. And I am sure he has a plan and we are in God’s hand every step of the way.

Without further do let me share with you LatinVision’s  fresh interview with Evelyn Brooks  available in Spanish & English.

http://hispanicentrepreneur.blogspot.com/ – English
http://emprendedoreshispanos.blogspot.com/ – Spanish

Hasta la proxima  

P.s.- Learn more about LatinVision Media INC and Carlos Vasallo  innovative work through the creation of Latin Vision.

Technorati Tags: LatinVision Media INV,Carlos Vasallo,Hispanic Entrepreneur,Evelyn Brooks Designs,Hispanic Community,Prestigious Hispanic Entrepreneur,Latin Vision New York

What is a FACEBOOK & TWITTER BADGE?

1. What are they?

-They are mini box that take a quick preview onto your social profile and activity, often used on blogs as a link to your social network.

2. How do I get myself this badge?

- For Facebook go ahead and go to the log-in page and scroll to the very bottom. There will be horizontal list of links. There you will find badge. From there it is very self-explanatory! You can create a badge for your personal profile, likes, pictures, and pages.

- With Twitter in order for your statuses to show in the badge, the account cannot be on a private setting.

- If not on a private setting, go to the Twitter log-in page, scroll to the very bottom, and click on about. Once on the about page, the sidebar has a link to resources. From there you can click on widgets, and it’s a piece of cake after that!

I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU 

This post has been written in collaboration with Wanda Hernandez for Evelyn Brooks

Technorati Tags: Evelyn Brooks Designs,facebook badges,twitter badges

CLUELESS ABOUT BLOGGING???

Technorati Tags: jewelry social media,jewelry blog,evelyn brooks designs,two worlds one chica

To those who do are as clueless about the blogging world as I am, even the most simple of blogging tools and tricks seem close to impossible.

Headaches with RSS! Do you recognize this symbol? (see below)

1. To start, I quickly searched what an RSS was. And trust me that symbol within your blog or website is more important than what you think. Learn more about it

-It is simply a news feed that once someone subscribes to the blog, the “subscribee” gets updates on new post!

2. Now the question was: How in the world will I get the RSS gadget onto the blog!?!

-I went to the Blogger dashboard and clicked on designs. Even I, being a rookie to the blog world, know that if I want to make my web page look different designs is the first place I should go.

-Blogger’s helpful design layout of the blog, brought me to experiment with add a gadget. Easy enough, I found a gadget that said feed, which was exactly what I was looking for.

- Although this may sound like the end of my blogging problems, oh no, you are very wrong. It just brought me to my next head aching question.

3. Someone please tell me what my feed URL is!

-Feedburner provided me with what I was looking for…a custom RSS feed.

-Once on Feedburner, I signed in using my Gmail account. (Hooray for Gmail!)

-Next, I inserted my blog’s URL and proceeded with making a Feedburner account.

4. The need to know knowledge- you can’t skip out on this!

- Just because you have a Feedburner account and your Blogger up and running the RSS will not magically appear.

- Go to publicize, on the side bar you will find Chicklet Chooser.

-Go ahead pick your icon. I chose the standard RSS icon, this way my readers could identify it easily.

-After your icon is chosen, scroll all the way to the bottom and use as a widget in Blogger (or whichever blog host you are using. If you have your own template there’s an HTML code for that too!)

-Press GO! It will automatically take you to your design layout. Don’t forget to save

Hope this helps you 

Hasta la proxima

(This post was written in collaboration with Ms. Wanda Hernandez for Evelyn Brooks Designs)

ANY RELIABLE PEOPLE IN YOUR COMPANY… ???

Technorati Tags: evelyn brooks designs,shopping new york

Is life all about money? Why is it that people sometimes only think about money first? Perhaps because there are bills to pay, which I totally understand. Sometimes it is money just to spend on incidentals over the weekend on drinks, parties, clothes, accessories etc.…

Why can’t young  adults place there energies thinking about their own future? Or how important is to learn every lesson they can learn from that employer where they work. If you are like me,  probably you won’t understand that until you have settled down in your life.

Traditional Latin America culture eases the pressure to think about your

Technorati Tags: evelyn brooks designs,united airlines,traditional latin america,latin america,evelyn brooks jewelry,new york,shopping new york

future, because your kids will take care of you when you get older. That the husband as the bread winner will provide for the rest of your life. Saving for the future is a major concern. I saved money to go to Europe, or to go to that resort in Cuba, or simply to go shopping to New York (just as I did once ), but what about 401k’s, social security? No for you, no way, no how. Far to often we live in the momentum of immediate gratification and simply because’ we are so passionate in everything we do.

I will add a little dark humor in this post that I remember commenting with some friends regarding the worst times of the economy. We were saying this while Americans were killing themselves because they lost their jobs. A Peruvian loses his job on Friday and I guarantee he is drinking and partying the same night and through the weekend.

I believe Hispanic culture is more cavilair, that no matter what we think ….things will get better, no matter what The reason is our faith that God has another door that he will open for you when another is closed.

At this juncture in my company I am looking for reliable people who are there when I need them. Responsible people who are willing to give me input when needed. Who are proactive.                                                 I learned this word that I heard 20,000 times while I worked for United Airlines.  BE PROACTIVE, YOU HAVE EMPOWEREMENT. Which means go the extra mile for your company. You are entitled to make a decision wherever you have to make it as long as it makes sense. Especially if it is for the good of the company (if you still don’t know what proactive is? CLICK HERE) Of course there may be mistakes because  you made a decision. However, you choose a decisive course of action. If that works great. If this does not you chalk it up as a lesson learned and continue to move forward.

When I worked for United Airlines, I really thought I was going be there until I retired and have my benefits of traveling for the rest of my life. But God had a different plan for me. I got laid off twice. The 2nd time I was living in Mexico and went back to my native Peru. While there I had an epiphany and realized that I didn’t belong with United Airlines.  I was an international girl who wanted to continue exploring the world and other cultures. So I endeavored and ventured myself off to the States for 6 months in March of 2003 without knowing that the very 1st weekend after my arrival, I would meet my future husband. Faith would have it that I got married eight months later. A door closed and another door had opened. Launching Evelyn Brooks Designs in June of 2004

So again God had a different plan for me.  Now I plan for my future, along with my family, performing in a rewarding career that is fulfilling to God great plan.

With love

Evelyn

ARTFIRE VS ETSY–Cause’ competition is good…

How important is marketing research, huh!? I am working on how to bring more sales to my e-store or better say how to sell more designs through different online stores. It seems like one/two aren't not enough…. How can a small jewelry designer entrepreneur do it?

Well, lots of researching, lots of reading and this is just the beginning. During my research I also found a book that explains clearly how to drive traffic to your website. The web traffic evolution guide
Photo courtesy of Webtraffic Evolution Insider

In my research of which stores are dedicated to sell hand-made, hand-fabricated jewelry/art, I found the most heard of ETSY and a new site named ARTFIRE (founded in 2008)

My next step, find out how good/bad or well recommended is ARTFIRE. So I goggled: feedback about Artfire; one of 1st sites to come up was www.HandmadeMarketing.org with lots of comments about how artisans and jewelry designers feel about artfire and their number one competitor etsy.



Some artisans said to be very happy with the results, some complain about artfire being new, some mention it is an advantage being new because there is still not many artisans selling as they are on etsy, some others are saying competition is good and also someone suggests don’t just list 12 items, go for more which means paying $9 monthly; and give it at least a year to make a final decision if it is good for you or not.

Again having your own business is not easy and it is always a roller coaster full of risks, good and bad days. In Spanish there is a phrase that I always think about “EL QUE NO ARRIESGA NO GANA”, which means IF YOU DON’T RISK YOU DON’T WIN...

Artfire is free for the 1st 12 pieces you upload and then unlimited $9, although I read that if you reach 5000 sold items, they raise your monthly fee to $20 dollars. I wish I could be paying $20 the next month, right? But I am sure everything takes time.


Do you want to know more about ARTFIRE??? - . Read a complete interview with John Jacobs (Artfire CEO)

Now I will talk about etsy…hmmm etsy, etsy, etsy…my personal experience…


I have sold my pieces there, NOT A LOT. I just stopped doing it because it is TOO MUCH TIME. Maybe it is me …I don’t know (please tell me if I am wrong- your comments are welcomed!) ; but it takes too long to upload a picture and also I feel like now there are so many more jewelers/artisans, different categories that makes it overwhelming for a customer to buy something. If I were to buy something from etsy ( I am speaking as a customer looking for a gift), it will probably have to be a very specific gift otherwise I wouldn’t do it. There is SO MUCH to look at, that makes me dizzy. And who has the time to look at soooo many pieces of jewelry to choose the right gift? Maybe there are buyers who have that kind of time, don’t get me wrong, otherwise etsy would not exist.

Will I try etsy again, YES just during holiday season which for us starts in September and I am pretty sure that people will be looking for RED JEWELRY and my RED HUAYRUROS will be perfect for the season.



The Passion Red Classic Necklace (picture bottom right) & The Classic Crochet Collection (picture top left) will soon be available for sale of etsy & artfire.

STAY TUNNED….HASTA LA PROXIMA;)

MY WORST TEACHER MADE ME A BETTER TEACHER?!

Oh yes I still think how it all  started?  It has been over two years of me teaching jewelry design, jewelry beading and answering a bunch of questions from young future designers or simply those who think of it as a business. Over the long run they realize is too hard and difficult to make it happen.

I have been invited to different presentations from for profit and  non profit organizations to share my experiences as a jewelry designer and business artist entrepreneur.                                                                                                                I remember volunteering my time to give a presentation for Empowered Women International, especially because this non profit helps immigrant artist through their Entrepreneurship Training Program to learn how to see themself as an artist but more importantly a BUSINESS ARTISTA.  I feel very compelled with their mission and the program. I came to this country without knowing how to introduce myself as an artist/jewelry designer, nor how to create a portfolio (now I have three different ones) and I learned that through that program I have also learned through perseverance and through other classes I have taken. We still make fun and joke about my 1st meeting with Mrs. Marga Fripp the director of Empowered Women International. She always says I remember Evelyn walking into their office/shop of Alexandria with a bag full of stones and even tools. All this to show Marga that I was a true artist who made her own jewelry. And YES I still giggle about that day and how I did my 1st introduction. Of course I will never go to any of my boutiques that now carry my jewelry line with my bag of huayuros and tools to introduce my new collection right?! But at that time I didn’t know what was best to do. Experience has given me confidence to present my work professionally and proudly.

Empowered Women International has open the doors of many inmigrant artists. Their histories have being featured in different social media, too. Above picture EWI artists, Marga Fripp (Director of EWINT) next to Evelyn Brooks

Time has given me confidence to present my work professionally and proudly.

I digress back to my teaching subject. I have lots to share and probably I will talk about it more than once. It is an honor for me to be recognized for my work as a teacher and recieve a diploma from the Montgomery College. WOW! It is an honor for me to be recognized for my work as a teacher and get a diploma from the Montgomery College….WOW!

If I teach is because there is a necessity and people are eager to learn something new, something that can be used for themselves or giving away as gifts or simply as a relaxing way to de'stress. My method is VERY DIFFERENT, there is no ice wall barrier in my class, everybody can participate, we laugh and chat. However, when I have to say CHICAS ESCUCHENME! THEY DO! I think working for United Airlines helped me a lot in given me so much knowledge about customer service. Immediately making them feel at easy. That you are there to assist them is key to success in any business venture. Do never make anybody feel bad.

One of my worst experiences I had as a student; was when I went to take a class at the Torpedo Factory. . I had such an awful and complex teacher. Three students dropped the class. Her social skills were abrasive. So rough, that one day I came back home and told my husband: Thank God I do not suffer from depression because after hearing what I heard I would have probably jumped out of the 10th floor. I stood still and tried to be so strong every time I went to that class. The teacher whenever I asked a question, she pretended did not understand what I asked and asked everybody in the class: can anybody translate what Evelyn had said? or simply will cut me off when I would ask a question. Until one day I told her: LET ME FINISH… and she did

I have had the pleasure of not seeing her again. I promised to myself if I ever teach, I would never trample on the imaginations of others. As a teacher your responsibility is to lift and raise the potential of others so that they may reach their full creative potential.

I am soooo proud with my advance group (students Lucia Goldman & Milagros Murga) how well they are working - GOOD JOB! (see pictures below)

I have more teaching experiences I can share . If you like to attend one of my classes – Please visit my link http://www.ebrooksdesigns.com/teaching.html, classes can be taught in Spanish and English

Supporting our future designers…

 

The Brooks Family & Evelyn Brooks Designs supports students of the West Potomac Academy Fashion Program

My passion to support the community comes from where I come from and how I was raised. Also from my personal experiences. I wasn’t given the opportunity to attend a fashion design program at the age of 15 or simply getting an internship that could teach me about the fashion world.

When I agreed to partner with the Fairfax County Public Schools in becoming a mentor and to offer  young adults the opportunity to learn about the real business world, my day to day activities, etc… I took it seriously. The interns that have passed through my internship program they know I mean BUSINESS when it comes to work. I share with them my personal experiences and gives them the opportunities to share their thoughts in many aspects of my business. Also cause sometimes I need a fresh take.

I will be honest most of my interns have being VERY and EXTREMELY professional with the exception of a few that weren’t interested in the fashion world and other a bit lazy. But it is what it is. If I grant you the opportunity take advantage of it; if not somehow you will learn about the real world.

Part of my business mission is to help my community and we keep doing it. I brought  my little one, Tyler to the Runway Ready show produced by Maggie Francois & students of the West Potomac Academy Fashion Design Program (three of my internst where also in the show) and we simply could not miss it! He had lots of fun... Tyler  got to see his new friends, too;  (Lilly, Wanda & Joanna) at 1st he would not recognized them with all the make up on…but then he remembered them. Tyler knows that every Thursday they come to work with mommy and we try to keep him away so we can work QUIETLY at the studio but sometimes it is impossible.

While Wanda works on learning about the latest jewelry trends, Tyler got her iPhone to play with and he loves giving her some company. We lay things on the floor when we discussed to many subjects. NO! WE DON’T WORK ON THE FLOOR ALL THE TIME   Lilly another intern wasn’t there that day otherwise Tyler would have being all over her.

Men’s jewelry is sexy…BUT all HE wants is COMFORT!

Did you know there is a men’s jewelry study ? that says 60% of men would consider wearing jewelry, 42% don’t buy it because they don’t shop for jewelry, 37% of men don’t buy jewelry because they don’t feel confortable wearing it and that only 5 % were uncomfortable buying men’s jewelry.

I shared this study with you because it is important to know what men seek when shoping. What kind of jewelry they would wear so we could get the perfect gift for them. I have being reading different reports and seeing the lines of a mulitple jewelry companies that I admire, such as John Hardy & Simmons's. Both follow the studies needs and create comfortable jewelry for their male clientele.

"Men have traditionally been the biggest purchasers of jewelry, while women are the most important consumers of jewelry”,  Having said this, I invite you to treat the man in your life. Father’s Day is approaching and you could find the perfect Father’s day gift from my MOSCHIK MEN’S jewelry collection. Evelyn Brooks Designs has  a great selection of men’s jewelry. Pieces that are easy on the masculine eye, ready to wear and VERY COMFORTABLE.

The Moschik jewelry line is inspired by the Moche Inca culture mixed with modern designs and following the latest trends. My cuff bracelets & adjustable rings show  delicate minimalistic lines and geometric figures. While my rosaries has being a HIT & FAVORITE  among our male clientele.

My adjustable cuff bracelets & rings are also favorites by my men’s clientele. They can easily adjust the size of it,  wear the rings even if sometimes their finger is swollen and adjust the size of their cuff bracelets/rings even if you have lost weight

DON’T FORGET TO USE YOUR 20% OFF AT TIME OF CHECKOUT ON YOUR ONLINE PURCHASE – (USE CODE: ebd4u7Y) – LET’S CONTINUE CELEBRATING OUR 7TH ANNIVERSARY!!! – Offer ends June 30th